The orchestra division is putting finishing touches on its upcoming winter orchestra concert on Dec. 13 at 6 and 8 p.m. in the Dale E. Graham Auditorium (two different performances).

According to director of orchestras Elisabeth Ohly-Davis, this concert is unique because the symphony orchestra will be having a professional recording taken of its performance of Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9,” while the philharmonic orchestra will be having a professional recording taken of its performance of Johann Stamitz’s “Mannheim Sinfonia in G.” Ohly-Davis said both recordings will be released for download on iTunes in the spring of 2019.

“I think one of the key things to making a recording project successful is to give multiple opportunities to perform the pieces,” Ohly-Davis said. “It was a great opportunity for the symphony and philharmonic orchestras to perform a portion of their recording pieces at the fall concert. More recently, the symphony orchestra was able to play the entire symphony at a side-by-side concert with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. The more you perform, the better you’ll be at performing, so when it comes time for the recording the piece is no longer intimidating.”

According to Ohly-Davis, students have been spending time in and out of class perfecting their pieces for the orchestra concert.

“(Preparation for the concert) has mostly been in-class work as a group. Since we have multiple directors, often times we break up the orchestras into sections to learn things in parts. Students are also required to practice the music at home, and we give playing exams every few weeks,” Ohly-Davis said.

Selin Oh, Camerata cellist and senior, said although the large amount of music in Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9” is intimidating, she is excited for the orchestra concert and the professional recording experience.

Oh said, “Dvorak’s ‘Symphony No. 9’ is just such a gorgeous piece, and I feel we’re all working hard to play it well. People should come to the concert simply to hear beautiful music and relax.”  By Adhi Ramkumar 

http://www.carmelorchestras.org